Carolina blue is a light shade of blue associated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The exact shade has been the subject of debate, with multiple formulas and color codes cited as the “official” Carolina blue. While the university has designated certain shades as official over the years, there is no universally agreed upon definition for Carolina blue. However, it remains one of the most iconic and recognizable colors in college athletics. In this article, we’ll explore the origins and history of Carolina blue, examine how its definition has evolved, and determine whether an official standard exists.
History of Carolina Blue
The use of Carolina blue by UNC dates back over 100 years. In 1888, the school’s football team adopted dark blue and white as its official colors. Light blue was incorporated as an accent color by the 1890s. The shade became more prominently used in uniforms and merchandise over the next few decades.
By the 1920s, light blue was firmly established as one of UNC’s primary colors. It came to be called “Carolina blue” and was associated with the school’s athletic teams, particularly football and basketball. Many claim the name stemmed from the uniform color of the football team. Others say it originated from the campus humor magazine, the Carolina Boll Wevil, whose cover featured a blue bell tower.
Early Attempts to Define Carolina Blue
In the early 1900s, there were no scientific color analyzers to precisely measure shades of blue. Carolina blue was defined loosely based on visual appearance. In 1912, the editor of the student newspaper proposed pantone 294, a medium blue, as the official Carolina blue. But this color was rejected as too dark.
The introduction of color photography in the 1930s brought more attention to standardizing the exact hue of Carolina blue. During this decade, RKO radio pictures used a light blue in films to represent UNC. This celluloid blue became informally associated with the university.
In 1941, a dye manufacturing company formulated a custom Carolina blue dye for UNC’s graduation gowns. The company described it as a “medium light blue.” While this marked an early attempt at an official definition, variability remained across fabrics and production methods.
Pantone Matching System Standards
A major breakthrough came in the 1960s with the development of the Pantone Matching System (PMS). This proprietary color space allowed designers to systematically match specific shades of color across production techniques and materials.
In 1967, UNC specified PMS 542 as the official Carolina blue. But this color was still considered too dark by fans and alumni. After continued debate, the university switched to PMS 279 in 1993. Described as a “lighter, brighter blue,” this remains the current official standard for Carolina blue to this day.
HEX and RGB Definitions
Beyond Pantone, Carolina blue has been defined using other color space systems. These include RGB, CMYK, and HEX codes:
| Color Space | Carolina Blue Code |
| RGB | 0, 102, 153 |
| CMYK | 100, 50, 0, 0 |
| HEX | #0066CC |
The RGB and HEX codes, in particular, have been widely adopted for digital media. But Pantone PMS 279 remains the authoritative standard cited across official university brand and style guides.
Alternate Definitions
Beyond the technical specifications, Carolina blue has been alternately described using poetic color language:
– Powder blue
– Sky blue
– Tar blue
– Ice blue
– Light steel blue
– Baby blue
– Electric blue
These emotive names evoke the soft, cool essence of the ideal Carolina blue shade. They capture the spirit and feeling of the color even if they lack scientific precision.
Custom Carolina Blue Dyes
Over the past century, dye manufacturers have continued formulating custom Carolina blue dyes on request.
In 2009, Pantone released a new set of metallic colors including an official UNC metallic blue. Dubbed Carolina blue metallic, this hue adds a shiny, iridescent quality to the traditional color.
Textile companies also produce proprietary Carolina blue dyes for school merchandise and team uniforms. These dyes are closely guarded trade secrets that aim to match the official standard.
Defining Carolina Blue in Competition
As Carolina blue increased in popularity, other teams wanted to use similar shades of blue for their uniforms and merchandise. This raised issues around defining Carolina blue distinctly to prevent imitation by competitors.
In 2007, the NFL’s Detroit Lions began using a new Honolulu blue uniform that UNC fans claimed too closely resembled Carolina blue. However,color analysis showed the Honolulu blue hue remained distinct from the official PMS 279.
Trademark law has also been employed to protect Carolina blue as a brand identity. In 2018, UNC successfully registered Carolina blue as a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This further reinforces the unique association between Carolina blue and the university.
Is Carolina Blue Really Carolina’s “Official” Color?
While Carolina blue is ingrained in Tar Heel tradition, it is not technically defined as the official color of UNC. The university’s brand style guide lists the official school colors as:
– PMS 200 (UNC Navy)
– White
– Black
Carolina blue is described as an “athletic brand” color rather than an official institutional color. So while it originated from UNC athletics, Carolina blue exists in a somewhat separate category from the official UNC brand identity standards.
Carolina Blue in Campus Culture
Beyond the technical specifications, Carolina blue has become deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of UNC. Fans wear the distinctive color proudly to show Tar Heel spirit. Many campus landmarks are painted Carolina blue including benches, trash cans, and the famous water tank atop Morrison Dorm.
Carolina blue appears ubiquitously across campus on flags, banners, t-shirts, hats, and other merchandise. While not UNC’s official color, it remains the quintessential visual identity representing the university for students, alumni, and sports fans.
Conclusion
While no universally official definition exists, Pantone PMS 279 is the closest standard for Carolina blue used across licensing and branding. The color emerged organically from UNC athletic tradition, taking on deeper cultural symbolism over time. Carolina blue remains one of the most iconic college colors, inspiring passionate loyalty from generations of Tar Heel fans. More than just a shade of blue, it embodies the spirit and community of UNC.